Arsenal have stepped up their hunt to sign a new, young, central-defender according to reports. A few days ago Arsenal were linked with a move for Kurt Zouma and today the Gunners have been linked with a 17 year-old Croatian named Tim Jedvaj.
The Sun claimed an ‘EXCLUSIVE’ on Friday suggesting that Arsenal were lining up a £6million bid for the teenager. In the article they dub him ‘the best since Modric’ to come out of Croatia. Heard that one before. However doing a bit of digging uncovered that the players agent has confirmed Arsenal’s interest. His agent Zoran Ban told Italian radio station Radio Mana Mana:
“He is 17 years old, but he plays like 25. He has great quality, is strong physically and mentally. has a secure future.
“Until yesterday he was a step away from signing with Rome (Roma), then I do not know what happened with the president of Dinamo.
“It is on the basis of 5 million euro. Roma have made this offer, you should request the President of Dinamo asked how much money more (he wants). The boy is interested in coming to Rome. And they (are) first team that is interested, then came Milan and Arsenal.
Judging from the quotes it seems the player may have been set for Roma with a £4million fee agreed, but with eleventh hour interest from Arsenal and AC Milan it may have created a mini bidding war for his services.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with Ashley Williams as a defensive reinforcement this summer, but Swansea are reportedly demanding in excess of £10million for his services. Williams is in the same age bracket as current trio Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. With Ignasi Miquel failing to impress in the reserves, a move for a younger centre-back to succeed the current trio in time seems like a more appropriate and measured move from the Gunners.